Methods and apparatus for performing a function relative to a card

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for performing a function relative to a card bend the card into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force. Motive power is generated with part of the applied force and is stored. The desired function is performed relative to the bent card and the card is unbent with the aid of the stored motive power.

United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,897,944 Grant 1 1 Aug. 5, 1975 15 1METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR 2,847,223 8/1958 Taylor et a1. 346/138PERFORMING A FUNCTION RELATIVE o 3,178,175 4/1965 Hohmann 1 4 v 1271/266 X 3,666,262 5/1972 Fowler et al 271/D|G, 9

A CARD Inventor: Frederic F. Grant, Bellflower, Calif Assignee: Bell &Howell Company, Chicago,

Filed: Nov. 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 420,735

US. Cl. H 271/3; 271/275; 27l/DIG. 9 Int. Cl B6511 5/00 Field of Search271/3. BIG. 9, 275, 277, 271/272, 273, 274, 266, 265; 346/138, 132.125,126, 127, 128; 274/17 Kirchel 346/138 Primary E.\'uminerEvon C1Blunk Assistant E.\'aminerBruce H, Stoner, Jr. Attorney, Agent, orFirmBen0it Law Corporation [57] ABSTRACT Methods and apparatus forperforming a function relative to a card bend the card into a curvedshape with the aid of an applied force. Motive power is generated withpart of the applied force and is stored. The desired function isperformed relative to the bent card and the card is unbent with the aidof the stored motive power.

[5 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUG 5197s SHEET Vi m w T BSIS MPATENTEU AUG 5|975 SHEET PATENTEU AUG 5 I975 SHEET PATENTEUAUB 5W5 SHEETMETHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING A FUNCTION RELATIVE TO A CARDCROSS-REFERENCES The following United States patents and/or copendingpatent applications. filed of even date herewith, disclose or discloseand claim subject matter which is shown herein and/or which may beemployed in the practice of the subject invention. These patents orapplications are assigned to the same assignee as the subject patentapplication or patent and are herewith incorporated by reference herein.

Ser. No. 420,503, entitled Communication Methods and Billing Systems, byR. A. Boyle, E. S. Gilchrist and R. L. Visser;

Ser. No. 420,734, entitled Communication Methods and Billing Systems, byE. S. Gilchrist and R. L. Visser;

Ser. No. 420,736, entitled Printing Apparatus, by E.

S. Gilchrist and F. F. Grant;

Ser. No. 420,737, entitled Sheet Advancing Methods and Apparatus, by F.F. Grant;

Ser. No. 420,738, entitled Card Advancing and Function PerformingMethods and Apparatus, by D. W. Westover and F. F. Grant;

Ser. No. 420,739, entitled Printing Methods and Ap paratus, by R. M.McManaman; and

Ser. No. 420,740, entitled Character Expressing and Printing Methods andApparatus, by E. S. Gilchrist and A. B. Nayak.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The subjectinvention broadly relates to card advancing and function performingmethods and apparatus. By way of example, and not by way of limitation,a field of utility of the subject invention resides in card print ingand/or reading equipment wherein cards are moved to and from a printingand/or reading station.

2. Description of the Prior Art Despite the vast amount of prior-arttechniques and equipment in the above mentioned field, there persists aneed for methods and apparatus wherein cards are economically andreliably advanced to and moved in a printing, reading and/or otherfunction performing station. Existing solutions of proposals in thisfield are unreliable, relatively expensive and/or consumptive ofconsiderable energy. Moreover, prior-art solutions which would have therequisite reliability in card han' dling and feeding are incapable ofeconomically satisfying an existing need for portable or compact andinexpensive stationary card moving and function performing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to satisfythe above mentioned needs.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for performing functions relative to cards.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for moving or advancing cards.

It is an object of this invention to improve the power requirements inmethods and apparatus which perform functions relative to cards.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in the furthercourse of this disclosure.

From one aspect thereof, the subject invention re sides in a method ofperforming a function relative to a card, and resides, morespecifically, in the improvement comprising in combination the steps ofbending the card into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force,generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing saidgenerated motive power, performing said function relative to said bentcard, unbending said bent card with the aid of said stored motive power,and regulating the unbending of said bent card in relationship to theperformance of said function relative to said card.

From another aspect thereof, the subject invention resides in a methodof performing a function relative to a card, and resides, morespecifically, in the improvement comprising in combination the steps ofadvancing the card from a first position to a spaced region, bending thecard in said spaced region into a curved shape with the aid of anapplied force, generating motive power with part of said applied forceand storing said generated motive power, performing said functionrelative to said bent card, unbending said bent card and advancing saidunbent card at least partially from said spaced region to a secondlocation, regulating the unbending of said bent card in relationship tothe performance of said function relative to said card, and removing thecard from said second location.

From another aspect thereof, the subject invention resides in apparatusfor performing a function relative to a card, and resides, morespecifically, in the improvement comprising, in combination, means forbending the card into a curved shape, means connected to said bendingmeans for generating and storing mo tive power, means for performingsaid function relative to said bent card, and means coupled to saidmotive power generating and storing means for unbending said bent cardwith the aid of said motive power, said means for unbending said bentcard include means for regulating the unbending of the bent card inrelationship to the performance of said function relative to the card.

From another aspect thereof, the subject invention resides in apparatusfor performing a function relative to a card, and resides, morespecifically, in the im' provement comprising, in combination, means foradvancing the card from a first position to a spaced region, means forbending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape, meansconnected to said bending means for generating and storing motive power,means for performing said function relative to said bent card, meanscoupled to said motive power generating and storing means for unbendingsaid bent card with the aid of said motive power, said means forunbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbending ofthe bent card in relationship to the performance of said functionrelative to the card, and means for advancing said unbent card to asecond position spaced from said spaced region.

The expression card" as herein employed is not intended to beinterpreted in a limiting sense. Rather, the meaning of that term isintended to include not only cards in their popular meaning, but alsoother sheetlike objects or sheets of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will become more readilyapparent from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numberals designate like orfunctionally equivalent parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa record card that may be employed in thepractice of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view. with removed top. of a compact card moving andfunction performing apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2, with theprinting mechanism having been removed;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2, with theprinting mechanism having been removed;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2, with theprinting mechanism having been removed;

FIG. 6 is an offset section taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional elevation taken along the line 77 in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is an offset section taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmentary views of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the printing mechanism takenat the line lllI in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a partial section taken along the line I2l2 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the printing head with associated parts;

FIG. 14 is a partial section taken along the line I4l4 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a sectional elevation of a detail of FIG. 11 on an enlargedscale; and

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of electronic equipment used in the portablebilling apparatus herein disclosed and controlling functions thereof.

Lateral guides 51 and 52 have flared or inclined lips 53 and 54 forguiding the card 23 laterally where necessary.

A card receiving platform 56 is resiliently mounted below the receivingchamber 45 by springs 47' relative to a supporting plate 48. If desired,several cards 23 may be inserted at a time through the slot 42 andreceiving chamber 45 and stored on the platform 56. A lip 49 on thesupporting plate 48 prevents more than one card from being fed at a timefrom the platform 56 to the printing area of the portable biller.

The portable biller 28 includes a handle 61 which has a manuallyengageable piece 62. The handle 61 is attached by screws 63 to anactuator block 64 which is slidable along bars 65 and 66.

A screw 68 connects a lug 69 to an extension bar of an actuating arm 72.The actuating arm 72 has an offset extension 73 which engages theforward end of a carriage 74 (see FIG. 4).

In this manner, the handle 61 is capable of causing sliding motion ofthe carriage 74 along a track 76. The carriage 74 has an extension lip77 bent over the actuating arm extension 73.

A resilient bracket 79 mounts a roller 81 on the carriage 74 for limitedrotary movement relative to the platform 56 or the card or cards locatedthereon.

A limited peripheral portion of the roller 81 is occupied by a highfriction material 82. while the remaining peripheral portions of theroller 81 are occupied by a low friction material 83. For the purpose ofillustration, the low friction material 83 has been shown in black inFIG. 4, while the high friction material 82 has been shown in white.

The roller 81 has a flat top 84 adjacent the bracket 79 so that theroller 8] is only capable of limited rotary movement. such as an angularmovement of 15 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

The roller 81 is a unidirectional card advancing de vice. If the handle61 and the carriage 74 are pushed to the left as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4,the high friction between the roller portion 82 and the inserted card 23above the platform 56 causes the roller 81 to rotate slightly. Thisrotation is limited by the abutment of the flat roller top 84 with thesupporting bracket 79 so that the high friction roller portion 82remains in contact with the inserted card 23.

Accordingly, upon further movement of the carriage 74, the card engagedby the high friction portion 82 of the roller 81 is driven to the leftinto the path 85 shown in FIG. 4. A support 86 and a hold down spring 87are mounted adjacent the path 85. The support 86 functions as a guide.

As seen in FIG. 9, the guide 86 and hold down spring 87 cooperate inpositioning the leading edge of the advancing card 23 in a recess 88 ofadrum 89. The object at this juncture is to wrap the card around the drumfor printing and other purposes more fully described be low.

To this end, the drum 89 has a shaft 91 which, as more fully seen inFIG. 8, is rotatable in two bearings 93 and 94 attached to the framestructures 43 and 44. A gear wheel 95 is attached to the drum 89 inorder to drive the drum.

As seen in FIG. 3. a book 97 is attached to the drive block 64. When thehandle 61 advances the drive block 64 to the left, the hook 97 engages ahook 98 fastened to a drive belt 99. The drive belt 99 is inforcetransmitting engagement with the drive gear wheel 95 of the drum 89and extends also over an idler pulley 100 seen in FIG. 3.

Accordingly, the advancing block 64 drives the drum 98 via the hooks 97and 98 and the belt 99. The drum 89 is thus rotated counterclockwise inthe direction of an arrow 101 shown in FIGS. 4 and 9. The advanced card23 is wrapped around at least part of the periphery of the drum 89during such rotary motion. To this end, belts 103 of a flexible metal ora flexible, tough plastic are attached by fasteners 104 to the peripheryof the drum 89. These belts 103 further extend from the drum 89 to andaround the periphery of a drum 105. The ends of the belts 103 which areopposite to the ends attached to the drum 89 are attached to the drum105.

The drum 105 has a shaft 106 rotatable in bearings I08 and 109 attachedto the frame structures 19] and 192. When the drum is rotatedcounterclockwise in the direction of the arrow 101 by the drive belt 99,portions of the belt 103 are progressively unwound from the drum 105 andwound onto the advancing card 23 on the drum 89.

In this manner, the card 23 is progressively wound onto the drum 89 andis held down on the drum by the belts 103.

Wrapping of the card 23 around at least part of the drum 89 is notresisted by the card drive roller 81. Rather, the advancing drum 89 andbelts 103 will pull the engaged card 23 along the platform 56 whichimparts a clockwise rotary motion to the roller 81. In this manner, thelow friction portion 83 of the roller will be drawn into contact withthe sliding card. Because of the low friction nature of the rollerportion 83, the roller 81 will then not resist advancement of the cardalong the platform 56 and onto the drum 89.

While the handle 61 and drive belt 99 are being ad vanced, a coil orclock spring 110 is partially unwound from a drum 112 shown in FIGS. 3and 6. A shaft 114 is attached to the mounting structure 44 in order tomount the spring drum 112 for rotary movement.

A coil or clock spring 115 is wound when the wrapped portions of thebelts 103 are unwound from the drum 105 by the rotating main drum 89.The spring 115 has an end 116 attached to the shaft of the drum 105. Anopposite end of the spring 115 extends around a pin 117 which isattached to the mounting structure 191. In this manner, the belts 103are spring tensioned when they are wound onto the card on the drum 89.

By way of alternative, the shaft 106 can be made stationary relative tothe mounting structures 191 and 192. In that case, the inner end of thespring 115 could be attached to the shaft 106 and the outer end of thespring 115 could be attached to the drum 105, with the drum 105 beingthen mounted for rotation on the shaft 106.

At this juncture, a closer consideration of the nature and function ofthe slide block assembly 64 will be helpful. As seen in FIG. 3, theslide block assembly 64 is composed to a first slide block 122 and asecond slide block 123. The handle 61 is attached by the fasteners 63 tothe slide block 122. The lower block has a fork portion 124 whichstraddles a bushing 125 slidable on the bar 65. Similarly, the block 122has a fork 127 which straddles a bushing 128 slidable on the bar 66.

The bushing 125 fits into a bore in the slide block 122, while thebushing 128 fits into a bore in the slide block 123. In this manner, thehandle 61 moves the blocks 122 and 123 of the slide block assembly 64 inunison until the block 123 is stopped.

This occurs when a roller 131 drops into a depression 132 in a bar 133as shown in FIG. 7. The roller 131 is mounted by a linkage 135 forrotation relative to the bar 133.

The linkage 135 is connected to a bracket 136 which is attached to thebar 71. The bar 71, in turn, is attached to the slide block 123 at 68and 69.

When the slide block assembly 64 is advanced by the handle 61, theroller 31 rolls along the bar 133 until it drops into the depression 132as indicated in FIG. 7. A spring 137 biases the roller 131 against thebar 133 and into the depression 132.

Engagement of the roller 131 with the bar 133 at the depression 132stops further movement of the slide block 123. Continued movement of thehandle 61 then pulls the bushing 128 by action of the fork 127 away fromthe slide block 123. At the same time, the slide block 122 pulls off thebushing 125 retained by the fork 124 of the arrested slide block 123. Atthat instant, the carriage 74 will have stopped its motion on the track76 since it is connected at 73 and 77 to the bar 71 which, in turn, isattached to the slide block 123 as mentioned above. This means that theunidirectional card advancing roller 81 will have advanced the leadingedge of the engaged card 23 into the recess 88 and under part of thebelt 103 as shown in FIG. 9, when the sliding block 122 separates fromthe sliding block 123.

Continued movement of the handle 61 will then further advance thesliding block 122 toward a stop 138.

At this juncture, it will be noted that the hook 97 shown in FIG. 3 isattached to an extension 139 of the sliding block 122 and is initiallyspaced from the book 98 on the drive belt 99.

This provides a lost motion connection between the hooks 97 and 98,whereby the hook 98 only becomes engaged when the leading edge of theadvanced card 23 has been located in the recess 88 of the main drum 89as shown in FIG. 9. Once the engagement between the hooks 98 and 99 hasbeen established. further movement of the slide block 122 away from thethen arrested slide block 123 will advance the drive belt 99 which, inturn, will rotate the drum 89 counterclockwise in the direction of thearrow 101 by action on the drive wheel 95. In this manner, the advancedcard 23 will be wrapped around at least part of the periphery of themain drum 89 as mentioned above.

A dashpot assembly 141 controls the forward speed of the slide blockassembly 64. The dashpot assembly 141 has an air cylinder 142 attachedto the mounting structure 44 by a bracket 143. A piston 145 shown indotted lines in FIG. 3 is fitted for sliding movement in the aircylinder 141. An adjustable air valve 146 on the cylinder 141 permitsadjustment of the rate of movement of the piston in the cylinder.

A piston rod 147 is connected to the piston 145. A link 148 connects thefree end ofthe piston rod 147 to a lever 149 which is pivoted relativeto the mounting structure 44 at 151.

A link 152 is pivoted on the extension 139 ofthe slide block 122 andacts on the lever 149 to move the piston 145 in the cylinder 142 to theleft as seen in FIG. 3, against the air resistance provided by the valve146 and against the bias of a spring 153.

This occurs when the slide blocks 122 and 123 are advanced by the handle61 and continues when the slide block 122 is further advanced by thehandle 61 after separation from the slide block 123; if desired.

At the end of the track provided by the bars 65 and 66, the motion ofthe slide block 122 is arrested by a stop 138. The slide block 122 maythen be returned to the slide block 123 as more fully described below.

A double pawl 155 acts on a ratchet wheel 156 to ar rest rotary movementof the drum 89 under the influence of the tensioned spring 115 androtary movement of the drum 105 also under the influence of thetensioned spring 115. As shown in FIG. 8 the ratchet wheel 156 isconnected to the drum 89.

The pawl 155 may now be actuated in a controlled manner to permitstepped movements of the drum 89 during printing of the desiredinformation on the wrapped card on the drumv This phase of the operationof the portable printer 28 will be more fully described below.

For the purpose of the present disclosure, it is assumed that therequired information has been printed onto the wrapped card and that itis desired to return this card 23 to the exit slot 42.

At this juncture, it will be noted that the link 152 is designed as atrigger biased by a spring 157. Accordingly, a link 152, which willoverride the free end of the lever 149 during movement of the slideblock 122 toward the stop 138, can move back over the free end of thelever 149 when the slide block 122 is returned to its original position(see FIG. 3).

In the meantime, the bias spring 153 is free to return the lever 149 toits original position shown in FIG. 3.

During the printing process, the spring 115 rotates the drum 89clockwise in the direction of an arrow 161 as seen in FIG. 10. Suchmovement of the drum 89 will eventually cause an unwrapping of the card23 from the drum 89. During such unwrapping the hold down spring 87 willcause the then leading edge of the card 23 to impinge upon the guide 86at its lower surface as shown in FIG. 10. This guides the card 23 into areturn gate or channel 162.

During such unwrapping of the card. the spring 115 rotates the drum 105counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 4 in order to wind the previouslyunwound portions of the belts 103 again onto the drum 105. In thismanner, the spring 115 also causes rotation of the drum 89 in thedirection of the arrow 161. For this to occur it is necessary that thehook 97 on the slide block 122 be spaced from the hook 98 on the drivebelt 99 sufficiently to permit an unwrapping of the card 23 from thedrum 89.

By way of example, this may be accomplished simply by manually engagingthe handle portion 62 and retracting the handle 61 from the end positionat 138 to the midposition at which the slide block 122 again engages thepreviously separated slide block 123. Alter natively, and in accordancewith the illustrated preferred embodiment, an arm 292 cooperates with apin 293' to form a oneway clutch between the gear wheel 95 and the drum89 and the bias of the partially unwound spring ll may then be employedto return the slide block 122 to its midposition. In that case the gearwheel 95 acts through the pin 293 and arm 292 to advance the drum 89 inthe forward direction when a card is being wrapped thereon. The drum 89then stays in the advanced position until the double pawl 155 isreleased. While the drum stays in the advanced position, the spring 110returns the gear wheel 95, drive belt 99 and slide block 122 to amidposition.

It will be recalled at this juncture that the slide block 122 becameseparated from the slide block 123 when the roller 131 became arrestedin the recess 132 of the bar 133, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7.

The partial backward movement of the handle 61 just described may beeffected in one operation with the previously described forwardactuation. In that case the operator would actuate the handle 61 to pushthe slide block 122 forward to the maximum advanced position 138 andwould then actuate the handle 61 to return the slide block 122 intoengagement with the slide block 123.

In accordance with the illustrated preferred embodiment of theinvention, the slide block 123 is connected to a free end ofa spring 164shown in FIG. 7 via the bar 71, bracket 136 and fastener 165. The spring164 is wound on a drum 166 which is rotatable about a shaft 167 as shownin FIG. 7. The spring 164 is tensioned to wind itself fully onto thedrum 166.

Accordingly, the spring 164 biases the slide block 123 against the slideblock 122 so that the slide block 123 will follow the slide block 122when the handle is actuated to move the slide block assembly 64 to theleft as seen in FIG. 3. Similarly, the operator will feel the instant atwhich the slide block 122 has reengaged the slide block 123 since thespring 164 is then wound on the drum 166 except for a small end portionattached to the bracket 136, and since the roller 131 is then arrestedin the recess 132 of the bar 133.

The operator will then release the handle portion 62 until the printingprocess has been completed and the card has been unwrapped from the drum89.

The leading edge of the unwrapping card proceeds through the gate 162into a return chamber 167 delimited by shield 168, and onto a platform169.

At this juncture. a function which takes place during the previouslydescribed advancement of the slide block 164 has to be considered. Inparticular, a roller 171 is advanced from its initial position shown inFIG. 4 to an advanced position near the card return chamber 167 when theslide block 64 is first advanced to the left as seen in FIG. 3. To thisend, an arm 172 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 projects from the bar 71 which,as previously mentioned, has a portion 69 attached to the lower slide123 at 68.

The actuating arm 172 has a pin 172' which engages a carriage 173 asshown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the carriage 173 is advanced along a track174 in a direction toward the card return chamber 167 when the slideblock 64 is first moved to the left by the handle 61 from its initialposition shown in FIG. 3. The carriages 74 and 173 thereby move inunison since they are both actuated from the same bar 71 attached to theslide block 123.

Both carriages 74 and 173 stop when the roller 131 becomes arrested inthe recess 132 of the bar 133 shown in FIG. 7 and when the slide 122then separates from the slide 123 as previously described.

At that juncture, the roller 17] is located in the vicinity of the cardreturn chamber 167. Like the roller 81, the roller 171 is designed as aunidirectional card advanving device having a portion 176 of highfriction material extending over part of its periphery and a portion 177of low friction material extending over the remainder of its periphery.The roller 17] is mounted for limited rotary movement on a resilientsupport 178 which is attached to the carriage 173. A flat roller top 179limits angular movement of the roller 171 to about 15 in each direction.In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the roller 171 extends througha slot in the plate 168 to contact the card. The plate 168 extends forthe full length of the platform 169.

Because of the presence of the low friction portion 177 of the roller171, the leading edge of the returning card can readily slide in betweenthe platform 169 and the roller 171 since the rotational position of theroller 171 is then such that the high friction portion 176 of the rolleris spaced from the return platform 169. Also, the shield or plate 168 isresiliently mounted by springs 181 while the roller 171 is resilientlymounted by the previously mentioned support 178.

After the printing process as to the particular card 23 has beencompleted, the operator engages the handle 61 at its portion 62 andmoves the slide block assembly 64 to the right as seen in FIG. 3. Thisactuates the carriages 74 and 73 from their above mentioned advancedposition toward their initial position shown in FIG. 4. In terms ofroller 81, this movement has no effect on any card, since it will causeposition of the low friction portion 83 adjacent the platform 56.

Accordingly, no card is removed from the platform 56, even if more thanone card were previously positioned on the platform 56.

On the other hand, movement of the carriage 173 from the above mentionedadvanced position toward the initial position shown in FIG. 4 willrotate the roller 171 sufficiently to place the high friction portioninto engagement with the card that has been returned through the chamber167. Accordingly, the returning roller 171 will grip the card with itshigh friction portion and will slide it along the return platfrom 169thereby separating it fully from the drum 89.

In this manner, the unidirectional card advancing device in the form ofthe roller 171 will place the leading edge of the returned card at theslot 42, such that the returned card 23 can be manually engaged andremoved from the apparatus 28. In the process of its removal, the cardwill subject the roller 171 to a limited angular movement such that thelow friction portion 177 moves into engagement with the card. The roller171 will then offer no resistance to a manual removal of the card fromthe printing apparatus 28. The next card may then be moved intoengagement with the drum 89 in the above mentioned manner by actuationof the handle 61.

The printing process will now be fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In particular, FIG. shows the previously mentioned double pawl 155 whichpivots around an axis 183. The pawl 155 is ofa ferromagnetic materialand is actuated by electromagnetic coils or solenoids 184 and 185located on an armature 186. The pivot shaft 183 may be connected to thearmature 186.

The double pawl 155 is designed in the manner of an escapement which,upon alternative energization of the coils 184 and 185, will permitstepped advancement of the ratchet wheel 156 and drum 89 in thedirection of the arrow 187 which corresponds to the arrow 161 in FIG.10. In this manner, advancement of the drum 89 can be easily controlledso that the wrapped card 23 on the drum is located, row for row, in thedesired positions for the printing process.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the previously described roller 105 and theprinting assembly 189 are supported by side plates 191 and 192 which arepivoted relative to the frame structure at 193 so that the roller 105and the printing assembly 189 can be swung outwardly as shown in phantomoutline at 194 in FIG. 4. This facilitates servicing of the apparatusand access to the card on or at the drum 89.

As shown in dotted lines at 195 in FIG. 11, the printing mechanism 196is detachable as a unit from the assembly 189. The printing mechanism issupported by a frame structure 198 having plates 199 and 200 cross tiedtogether by rods 201, 202, 203 and 204.

The printing mechanism 196 has a mounting frame 206 pivotally mounted onrod 202. A bias spring 207 urges the frame 206 to its open position. Ascrew 208 retains the frame 206 in its active position shown in FIG. 11against the bias of the spring 207.

A motor 209 is mounted on the frame 206. The motor 209, when energized,drives a shaft 212 which has a flexible coupling 213 attached thereto ina stepped manner.

The flexible coupling 213 links the motor shaft 212 to a printing head214 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The flexible coupling 213 isolates theprinting head 214 from pulsating motions which the motor shaft 212executes at the end of a stepping operation. To this end, the flexiblecoupling 213 has buffer springs 216 which resiliently interconnect thecoupling members 217 and 218. A set screw 219 attaches the couplingmember 217 to the motor shaft 212.

The coupling part 218 forms a collar which conically blends into a ring221 which has a plurality of notches 222, the number of whichcorresponds to the number of desired angular positions of the printinghead. At least one detent 224 is biased by a spring 225 into the notches222. In this manner. the motor 209 is capable of stepping the printinghead to any desired angular position. However, pulsating motions of themotor shaft 212 are not transmitted to the printing head.

Rather, the detent 224 cooperating with notches 222 will retain theprinting head stationary in any stepped position, while the coupling 213with its buffer springs 216 will absorb motor shaft pulsations.

The printing head 214 has a plurality of flexible arms 226 projectingradially from a base 227. The base 227 is attached to the notched ring221 and thus to the coupling piece or collar 218.

Each flexible arm 226 of the printing head has a flat tab at itsextremity. The tabs 228 may be rectangular as shown in FIG. 13.

The tabs 228 of the printing head carry raised alphanumeric or cleartext characters 229 or raised code text or encoded characters 231 insuch an arrangement that an encoded character is located at a position232 whenever its corresponding alphanumeric character is located at aposition 233. In this manner, it is possible to print clear text and itscorresponding encoded text si multaneously on a card 23 at differentlocations thereof. In particular, the printer according to theillustrated preferred embodiment is capable of printing information inclear text in either of the record parts 31 and 38 and simultaneously incode text in the record part 32 shown in FIG. 1.

To this end, the printer has two hammers 234 and 235 which aresimultaneously struck by two actuators 236 and 237 which aresimultaneously actuated by a common magnetic armature 238.

As shown in FIG. 14, the armature 238 is pivoted relative to a bracketby pins 241.

Eachc of the hammers is biased to a retracted position by a spring 243located in a relatively stationary housing 244.

In order to print corresponding alphanumeric and encoded characters, anelectromagnetic coil or solenoid 246 is energized to attract thearmature 238. This causes the actuators 236 and 237 to actuate thehammers 234 and 235 simultaneously, whereby these ham merssimultaneoulsy strike the tabs 228 which contain raised forms of theparticular alphanumeric character and its encoded counterpart.

Ink for the printing process is derived from a ribbon 248 which isinterposed between the printing head tabs 228 and the card 23 on thedrum 89 at the locations 232 and 233 shown in FIG. 12.

The ribbon 248 is dispensed from a cartridge 249 which contains a supplyof the ribbon.

A ribbon guide 251 has a guide portion 252 project ing under the ribbon248 (see FIGS. 11, 12 and 15). As seen in FIG. 12, the guide portion 252has cutouts 254 to clear the printing tabs 228 and arms 226 at thelocations 232 and 233.

The ribbon 248 can be inserted or exchanged when the screw 208 has beenloosened whereby the spring 207 swings the assembly 196 outwardly aboutthe pivot 202 (see FIG. 11).

The printing mechanism 189 can be moved laterally on its supporting rodas shown in dotted lines at 291 in FIG. 2, so that different columns canbe printed on the record cards.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 8, the drum 89 has an arm 292 which contacts astop 293 on the frame structure 44 when the drum 89 has returned to itsinitial position after completion of the printing operation.

As shown in FIG. 9, a hold down spring 295 may be provided to positivelyretain the card 23 as it is wrapped around the drum 89.

FIG. 9 also shows a readout head structure 296 which may be provided toread information from the card 23 at or in the vicinity of the drum 89.This would be in keeping with the broad scope of the subject invention,which contemplates printing, reading and other performance of anotherfunction or functions relative to the cards 23 in the region of the drum89.

Now that an understanding concerning the illustrated preferredembodiment of the invention has been gained, it may be helpful tosummarize the function of the illustrated apparatus in terms of thesubject invention.

To this end, it will be recognized that each card 23 is bent into acurved shape with the aid of a force applied via the handle 61 slideblock 122, hook 97, engaged hook 98 and drive belt 99 to the drumstructure 89 which is thus rotated in the direction of the arrow 101shown in FIGS. 4 and 9.

This applied force which rotates the drum 89 and bends the card into acurved shape on the cylindrical drum surface also acts on the spring 115at the drum 105. That spring is coupled to the belts 103 and the belts103, in turn, are coupled to the drum 89.

The spring 115 is thus tensioned by part of the force actuating the drum89 and bending the card whereby motive power is generated by theincreasing bias of the spring 115. This motive power is not at that timedissi pated, but is stored due to the fact that the pawl I15, engagingthe ratchet wheel 156, prevents a release of the rotated drum 89 untilthe electromagnets I84 and 185 (see FIG. 5) are actuated. Upon actuationof the electromagnets I84 and 185, the pawl I55 acts as an escapementpermitting a controlled release of the motive power provided by thespring 115. The desired function, such as the printing in theillustrated preferred embodiment, is then performed in the course of thecontrolled release of the motive power stored by the spring 115.

lfdesired, the drum 89 may be released in very small increments orcontinuously, such as with the aid of a speed governor (not shown)whereby the printing may be effected on the moving card. For greateraccuracy, the illustrated embodiment prefers a stepped release, withsuccessive parts of the printing process being performed in interevalsbetween angular rotations of the drum 89.

In either case, the drum is rotated by the spring 115 in the directionof the arrow 161 shown in FIG. 10. Because of the action of the spring87 and the consequent guiding of the now leading edge of the card 23into the return channel 162, the bent card is increasingly unbent orunwound from the drum 89 as the rotation ef fected by the spring 115progresses in the direction of the arrow 161.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, there is another spring whichaids the unbending of the card from the drum 89; namely the spring 110which acts on the drum 89 by way of the drive belt 99. Both the springs[l0 and 115 may thus be viewed as means for generating and storingmotive power during the bending of the card about the drum 89. On theother hand, if the spring were only used to return the slide block 122to its midposition, as mentioned above, then only the spring would bepart of the motive power generating and storing means.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment. the printing function isperformed relative to the card 32 after initiating of the release of themotive power stored by the spring H5 and prior to a completed unbendingof the card from the drum 89. The unbending of the bent card from thedrum 89 is regulated in relationship to the performance of the printingfunction. since the pawls I55 act as an escapement which assures thatprinting can be effected with the desired accuracy as the card is unwound from the drum 89.

As indicated in FIG. 9, photocell reading equipment 296 may be providedto perform an additional function, namely a reading function, relativeto the card while the card is being bent into its curved shape aroundthe drum 89.

As an additional feature, the unidirectional card advancing device 81 inthe illustrated preferred embodiment acts as a means for advancing eachcard 23 from a initial position to the spaced region in which the drum89 is located and in which the performance of the printing function orreading and printing functions takes place, Similarly, theunidirectional card advancing device l7l acts as a means for removingeach card from the location in the vicinity of the drum 89 where theunbent card is deposited by the drum 89.

Owing to these features, the above mentioned objects of the inventionsare all met in an economical and reliable manner, whereby very heavy andcomplex equipment is avoided, as are a jamming and misprinting ormisreading of cards. Also, considerable power economy is provided, sincethe motive spring 115 is ener gized manually via the handle 6L Thesubject extensive disclosure will suggest or render apparent variousmodifications and variations within the spirit and scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art.

Suitable electronic equipment for the portable billing apparatus 28 willnow be described with the aid of the last figure of the drawings.

Function and purpose of this electronic equipment are essentially asfollows: To enable the photoelectric or magnetic reader 296 to read fromeach card 23 the information provided thereon by the utility computer 13and printer 22, to enable the meter reader to input his readings intothe portable billing apparatus by means of a keyboard 300, to calculatethe new amount due on the basis of the billing information read from thecard and the new meter reading supplied through the keyboard 300, torelease the ratchet wheel 156 in a controlled manner for a steppedadvancement of each card during the printing phase, to actuate theprinting head 214 for a printing of the new meter reading and the newamount due on the cards 23 as mentioned above, and to actuate theprinting hammers 246 during such printing process.

The heart of the electronic equipment of the portable billing apparatusis a microcomputer 302. Microcomputers have become well-known in recentyears as they form the essential part of hand-held or other portableelectronic calculating equipment and have found utility in other areaswhere small computers are of advantage. By way of example, and not byway of limitation, the microcomputer 302 may be adapted from thecommercially available MCS-4 Microcomputer. Alternatives are apparent toan integrated circuit designer of average skill from the subjectdisclosure.

In particular. the microcomputer 302 has a two phase oscillator 304which clocks a central processing unit (CPU) 305. A data bus 306 leadsto and from the central processing unit 305. Random access memories(RAM) 308 and 309 are connected to the central processing unit 305 viadata bus 306. Programed read only memories 310 and 311 are connectableto the central processing unit 305 via data bus 306 and an address latch312. A chip selector 313 enables the address latch 312 to select one outof n programed read only memories which, in actuality, are preferablypresent in the form of integrated circuit chips, wherein n is the numberof programed read only memories.

An input/output interface device 316 selectively connects input ports(IP) 317, 318 and 319 and output ports (OP) 320 and 321 to the centralprocessing unit 305 via data bus 306. For this purpose, the interfacedevice 316 in conjunction with the chip selector 313 provides an inputcommand via a line 323 to the input ports 317 to 319, and an outputcommand via a line 324 to the output ports 320 and 321.

The item 296 is preferably a code reader which, for instance, reads thebilling information from the part 32 of the card as provided by theutility computer and printer. The signals produced by the reader 296 areamplified and processed by a signal processor 331 which may be of abasically conventional type.

A line 332 applies the amplified and processed read message to the inputport 317 whence it is applied to the central processing unit 305 by theinterface device 316 and data bus 306.

The RAM device 309 is preferably of a conventional integrated circuitdesign having an output port 362 in addition to a read/write memory 364.

The meter reader inputs the reading for the particular customer throughthe keyboard 300 which has digit keys (1 through 9), a decimal key anentry key (E) and a clear key (C). The keyboard device 300 is preferablyof a coordinate or cross-bar type receiving its input via a line 334 andoutput port 362 of the integrated RAM device 309 and supplying itsoutput via a line 335 to the input port 319.

The data provided by the keyboard device 300 is supplied via theinterface device 316 and data bus 306 to the central processing unit 305where it is processed together with the billing information read by thereader 296. Such processing is effected under the control of theprogramed read only memories 310 and 311. Accordingly, information whichapplies to customers in general may be stored in the program of the readonly memories thereby saving space on the cards 23 and additionalreading steps.

The RAM device 308 is preferably of a conventional integrated circuitdesign having an output port 361 in addition to a read/write memory 363.As the microcomputer 302 has completed a calculating operation and isready for the printing process, a driver 341 is energized via a line 342and the output port 361 of the integrated RAM device 308. The driver 341may be ofa conventional type which alternatively energizes theelectromagnets 184 and 185 in order to actuate the pawl into controllinga stepped advance of the ratchet wheel 156 and thereby of the cardwrapped on the drum 89.

Information on the data to be printed is supplied via the output port320 and a line 344 to a driver 345.

The driver 345 may be of a conventional type which energizes thestepping motor 209 with electrical pulses so that the rotary printinghead 214 is actuated to the correct angular position for the printing ofeach clear text and corresponding code text character.

In order to permit the equipment to orient itself as to the position ofthe printing head 214, an angular head position sensor 347 is provided.The sensor 347 may be of an clectrooptical, electromagnetic or otherconventional type to sense the actual angular position of the printinghead 214. A line 349 applies the position sensing signal to the inputport 318 for consideration by the central processing unit 305 in itscontrol of the printing head.

Whenever the printing head 214 has been actuated to the desired angularprinting position, the microcomputer 302 energizes the hammer actuator246 via the output port 321 and a line 351.

Movement of the printing mechanism for printing in different columns onthe card 31, if needed, may be controlled in a similar manner by themicrocomputer 302 so that no specific equipment is disclosed for thispurpose.

Rather, the figure under discussion discloses electronic equipment whichwill satisfy the basic data processing and control needs of the portablebilling apparatus 28. Refinements for particular billing situations maybe added on the basis of conventional circuit de sign.

I claim:

1. In a method of performing a function relative to a card, theimprovement comprising in combination the steps of:

bending the card into a curved shape with the aid of an applied force;

generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing saidgenerated motive power; performing said function relative to said bentcard; unbending said bent card with the aid of said stored motive power;and regulating the unbending of said bent card in relationship to theperformance of said function relative to said card.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said stored motive power is released in a controlled manner;

said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motive power released in acontrolled manner; and

said function is performed relative to said card after initiation ofsaid release of the motive power and prior to completed unbending ofsaid card.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

an additional function is performed relative to the card while the cardis being bent into a curved shape.

4. In a method of performing a function relative to card, theimprovement comprising in combination the steps of:

advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region;

bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape with the aidof an applied force;

generating motive power with part of said applied force and storing saidgenerated motive power;

performing said function relative to said bent card;

unbending said bent card and advancing said unbent card at leastpartially from said spaced region to a second location;

regulating the unbending of said bent card in relationship to theperformance of said function relative to said card; and

removing the card from said second location.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein;

said stored motive power is released in a controlled manner;

said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motive power released in acontrolled manner; and

said function is performed relative to said card after initiation ofsaid release of the motive power and prior to completed unbending ofsaid card.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

an additional function is performed relative to the card while the cardis being bent into a curved shape.

7. ln apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, theimprovement comprising in combination:

means for bending the card into a curved shape;

means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motivepower;

means for performing said function relative to said bent card; and

means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means forunbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said meansfor unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbendingof the bent card in relationship to the performance of said functionrelative to the card.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said means for unbending said bent card include means for initiating arelease of said stored motive power, and means for unbending said bentcard with said released motive power; and

said function performing means include means for performing saidfunction relative to said card after initiation of said release andprior to completed unbending of said card.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, including:

means for performing an additional function relative to the card whilethe card is being bent into a curved shape.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said bending means include a rotary body having a curved surface, meanscoupled to said rotary body for rotating said body in a first sense, andmeans for wrapping the card on said curved surface of the rotating body;

said generating and storing means include means coupled to said body forgenerating motive power upon said rotation in a first sense, and forstoring said generated motive power; and

said unbending means include means coupled to said motive powergenerating and storing means for rotating said body in a second sensewith said stored motive power, and means for guiding the card away fromsaid body.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said function performing means include means for performing saidfunction relative to the card after commencement of said body rotationin said second sense and prior to a completion of said guiding away ofthe card from said body.

12. In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, theimprovement comprising in combination:

means for advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region;

means for bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape;

means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motivepower:

means for performing said function relative to said bent card;

means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means forunbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said meansfor unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbendingof the bent card in relationship to the performance of said functionrelative to the card; and

means for advancing said unbent card to a second position spaced fromsaid spaced region.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including:

means for performing an additional function relative to the card whilethe card is being bent into a curved shape.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said bending means include a rotary body having a curved surface. meanscoupled to said rotary body for rotating said body in a first sense, andmeans for wrapping the card on said curved surface of the rotating body;

said generating and storing means include means coupled to said body forgenerating motive power upon said rotation in a first sense, and forstoring said generated motive power; and

said unbending means include means coupled to said motive powergenerating and storing means for retating said body in a second sensewith said stored motive power, and means for guiding the card away fromsaid body.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said function performing means include means for performing saidfunction relative to the card after commencement of said body rotationin said sec' ond sense and prior to a completion of said guiding away ofthe card from said body.

1. In a method of performing a function relative to a card, theimprovement comprising in combination the steps of: bending the cardinto a curved shape with the aid of an applied force; generating motivepower with part of said applied force and storing said generated motivepower; performing said function relative to said bent card; unbendingsaid bent card with the aid of said stored motive power; and regulatingthe unbending of said bent card in relationship to the performance ofsaid function relative to said card.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said stored motive power is released in a controlled manner;said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motive power released in acontrolled manner; and said function is performed relative to said cardafter initiation of said release of the motive power and prior tocompleted unbending of said card.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein: an additional function is performed relative to the card whilethe card is being bent into a curved shape.
 4. In a method of performinga function relative to card, the improvement comprising in combinationthe steps of: advancing the card from a first position to a spacedregion; bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape withthe aid of an applied force; generating motive power with part of saidapplied force and storing said generated motive power; performing saidfunction relative to said bent card; unbending said bent card andadvancing said unbent card at least partially from said spaced region toa second location; regulating the unbendiNg of said bent card inrelationship to the performance of said function relative to said card;and removing the card from said second location.
 5. A method as claimedin claim 4, wherein: said stored motive power is released in acontrolled manner; said bent card is unbent with the aid of said motivepower released in a controlled manner; and said function is performedrelative to said card after initiation of said release of the motivepower and prior to completed unbending of said card.
 6. A method asclaimed in claim 4, wherein: an additional function is performedrelative to the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.7. In apparatus for performing a function relative to a card, theimprovement comprising in combination: means for bending the card into acurved shape; means connected to said bending means for generating andstoring motive power; means for performing said function relative tosaid bent card; and means coupled to said motive power generating andstoring means for unbending said bent card with the aid of said motivepower, said means for unbending said bent card include means forregulating the unbending of the bent card in relationship to theperformance of said function relative to the card.
 8. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 7, wherein: said means for unbending said bent cardinclude means for initiating a release of said stored motive power, andmeans for unbending said bent card with said released motive power; andsaid function performing means include means for performing saidfunction relative to said card after initiation of said release andprior to completed unbending of said card.
 9. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 7, including: means for performing an additional function relativeto the card while the card is being bent into a curved shape.
 10. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said bending means include arotary body having a curved surface, means coupled to said rotary bodyfor rotating said body in a first sense, and means for wrapping the cardon said curved surface of the rotating body; said generating and storingmeans include means coupled to said body for generating motive powerupon said rotation in a first sense, and for storing said generatedmotive power; and said unbending means include means coupled to saidmotive power generating and storing means for rotating said body in asecond sense with said stored motive power, and means for guiding thecard away from said body.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10,wherein: said function performing means include means for performingsaid function relative to the card after commencement of said bodyrotation in said second sense and prior to a completion of said guidingaway of the card from said body.
 12. In apparatus for performing afunction relative to a card, the improvement comprising in combination:means for advancing the card from a first position to a spaced region;means for bending the card in said spaced region into a curved shape;means connected to said bending means for generating and storing motivepower; means for performing said function relative to said bent card;means coupled to said motive power generating and storing means forunbending said bent card with the aid of said motive power, said meansfor unbending said bent card include means for regulating the unbendingof the bent card in relationship to the performance of said functionrelative to the card; and means for advancing said unbent card to asecond position spaced from said spaced region.
 13. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, including: means for performing an additionalfunction relative to the card while the card is being bent into a curvedshape.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said bendingmeans include a rotary body having a curved surface, means coupled tosaid rotary body For rotating said body in a first sense, and means forwrapping the card on said curved surface of the rotating body; saidgenerating and storing means include means coupled to said body forgenerating motive power upon said rotation in a first sense, and forstoring said generated motive power; and said unbending means includemeans coupled to said motive power generating and storing means forrotating said body in a second sense with said stored motive power, andmeans for guiding the card away from said body.
 15. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 14, wherein: said function performing means includemeans for performing said function relative to the card aftercommencement of said body rotation in said second sense and prior to acompletion of said guiding away of the card from said body.